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How To Get Your Kids To Eat Non-Beige Food

(Part 1)

Quote of the day:

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”

-Japanese Proverb

I got this from a reader:

“I’d love ideas for my crew of three, whose vegetable intake these days is limited to broccoli and edamame (the only veggies they enthusiastically greet these days because they’re “˜fun’ to eat… everything else is greeted with tears and threats to fast rather than eat squishy squash or blechy spinach!). I’m sure I can’t be alone in my interest in healthy family eating ideas!”

Oh, you’re not alone, Sister. People ask me this every day. It’s funny because after we stopped being a label (“raw vegan”) in July 2011, at first, my five kiddos had no interest in eating anything green or live. Even fruit.

At our first Whole Foods shopping adventure post-label we filled that cart with things in packages (organic and natural, but in boxes nonetheless). When asked if they’d like some grapes or watermelon or cantaloupe or apples, I heard a resounding, “No thank you, Momma.” When we were raw vegan they’d squeal with delight when they saw any of these fruits. My, how things had changed. Overnight.

But I didn’t worry. I know better. I’ve studied and lived the Law of Attraction for a long time, so I create deliberately. I know that worry is using my imagination to create something that I don’t want. I knew they’d come around with time.

And they did.

But what I didn’t expect (and was unprepared for) is that my kids became picky eaters, just like every other child I know who never walked the raw vegan path. Phoenix, age five, who used to be excited and grateful to have steamed broccoli all of a sudden didn’t like it, or anything green. I began to experience that old familiar struggle I’d had with my 14-year-old when she was little (pre-raw vegan). And oh, it ain’t fun, as many of you Sisters know. I couldn’t believe that they could flip that quickly. But they did, and they had.

What do I do now? How do I feed my kids healthy food in a world of beige kids’ foods? One moment at a time, like anything else. It’s a practice, just like your yoga and your own healthy eating. I do my best, with breath. I approach each moment anew and am mindful not to worry. I am mindful of balance.

“Yeah, yeah,” you’re sayin’, “enough with the Spiritual stuff, give us something we can use!”

I hear ya. But I also know that every relationship is built on a solid foundation. Your kids’ relationship to food, and your relationship with them around food, is no different. If it’s filled with angst and worry and frustration and fear, it don’t bode well, Super-moms.

So start simple. Utilize your thoughts and your words and your intention to create your dream food situation for your kids. Fake it “˜til you make it. Write it down. Visualize it. See it in your mind’s eye. Feel the essence of it in your body. Then follow your impulses. Your inspiration. The Universe will guide you in your particular situation regarding what to buy and prepare for your kids. Follow that. And drop the fear and the struggle.

In any situation, you’re operating from either fear or love. Which are you operating from at mealtimes?